DOJ is Also Coming to NoMa!

It's turning out to be a great week for NoMa. According to Bisnow, DOJ is also coming to NoMa! The 521K lease will go to Constitution Square which is that big lot directly south of the ATF building. It is expected to be completed in 2010, with DOJ employees moving in early that year. As you may recall, Constitution Square is also being scoped out as the site for a Harris Teeter or some large grocery store.

UPDATED: The Washington Business Journal has also just reported the news. Although Bisnow reports the location at 100 M Street, NE, it appears as if the DOJ building will be specifically located at Two Constitution Square at 145 N Street, NE.

UPDATED: NPR Moving to NoMa

Back in November, I wrote about how NPR and the Department Justice of were both considering NoMa for new locations. Today, it's been reported that NPR will be moving to a newly built headquarters at 1111 N. Capitol St., NE. I believe NPR's new space, which will consolidate the two locations it currently has in Mt. Vernon Square, will be more than 400,000 square foot. 25,000 square feet of retail is also planned for the new building. A Smithsonian Institution warehouse actually sits on the site right now but the developers are planning to maintain the historical facades (read more here).

Here are more details from the NoMa BID press release and Bisnow. Unfortunately, occupancy is not expected until late 2011 or early 2012. That's a long time away still! On a positive note, DC has agreed to streetscape improvements around the site, which is across from the Northwest One project (formerly Sursum Corda coops).

DOJ also apparently signed its 500,000-square foot consolidation last Friday and the announcement of exactly which site won the lease is expected this week.

With solid commitments of businesses moving into area, I'm definitely hoping more retail and food services seriously start considering our area and taking that plunge.

Washington Gateway Update

I know, I know...I've been horrendous about posting. Regardless, here is an exciting update from DCmud on the Washington Gateway project on New York and Florida Avenue.


The most exciting aspect about the design for me would be the three-story glass Bicycle Atrium. Apart from providing access between the New York Avenue Metro and the Metropolitan Branch Bike Trail, it'll have bike storage, lockers, refreshments, trail and neighborhood maps, and an automated bike pump. I don't think I've seen anything like that in the metro area so it's pretty cool that the neighborhood is getting one. At the MBT meeting, there was discussion about having a bike depot in this area but I definitely didn't envision this atrium!

I'm also excited about the plaza that's supposed to connect the three planned buildings and I can't wait to see the plaza and streetscape design. Honestly, as long as there is some great dining options, i.e., affordable to upscale, diverse cuisine, and outside seating, I'll be happy.

Heidi's Brooklyn Deli and Sister's Pizza & Mussels Coming to NoMa

Heidi's Brooklyn Deli and Sister's Pizza & Mussels have signed leases for the retail spaces next to Pound Coffee.

Both franchise restaurants are scheduled to open in April (Pound Coffee is now scheduled to open in February). The Heidi's Brooklyn Deli will be the second one to open in D.C., after the 1710 H Street, NW location and the Sister's Pizza & Mussels are is the first one located in DC. Both were founded in Colorado by Steve Naples, a New Jersey native who enjoyed Brooklyn's deli and pizza fares, as well as mussels dishes served at a Sicilian pizzeria in his neighborhood.

I love mussels so I'm especially excited about Sister's Pizza & Mussels. Has anyone been to the Heidi's location on H Street or a Sister's Pizza & Mussels elsewhere? What did you think?

Office Workers Gotta Eat

Pound Coffee is going to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner? Hhmm...I wonder what kind of dinner? I can’t think of a coffee shop off the top of my head that serves something I would consider dinner fare.

Meanwhile, the other spaces in that retail area are also being leased now and should include at least two lunch options.

UPDATED - Metropolitan Branch Trail Update

I was at the Met Branch Trail meeting tonight at Big Bear Cafe and apparently, a couple of the other Bloomingdale/Eckington bloggers as well. bloomingdale (for now) and eckington (way better than spotsylvania) both have excellent recaps of the meeting.

Also mentioned at the meeting and of special interest to Eckington are the plans to create rest areas/small parks along the NY Ave-Rhode Island Ave section. According to Heather Deutsch at DDOT, there is the possibility of a small pocket park at S Street and a small park space at T Street.

I don't think I've ridden through a bike trail in the DC metro area that didn't have several parks along the trail and I don't think the Met Branch Trail will be any different. Parks and landscaping go hand in hand with bike trails and one thing that the NE quadrant needs is definitely more accessible open space and parks.

So let's put some pressure on Pepco and get this trail built. Please contact Mayor Fenty, Councilman Thomas, and Delegate Holmes-Norton and tell them so.

I Need to Read The Onion More

I love my hubby's sense of humor.

The past couple of weeks, I’ve had some “memorable” street harassment incidents. In addition to being flashed, I’ve encountered some unwanted attention passing by the construction site at the New York Ave metro.

Although one incident was pretty creative. I hear “Hola Princesa!” through the walkie-talkie of a construction worker just about to walk by me. I realized it was coming from his co-worker half a block away who foolishly grins at me when I notice him with his walkie-talkie still in front of his mouth.

Anyways, today hubby sent me this 2001 Onion article he found, “Report: Economically Disadvantaged Men More Skilled at Communicating Attraction to Women.” Just hysterical...